AirNZ Academy

[Got the horn]

Email from a mate

it looks like the "AirNZ Aviation Academy" will be announced tomorrow... I've just seen the 'internal' staff update... quotes like this:
"Air New Zealand is to establish an aviation academy to develop and nurture home-grown pilots, cabin crew, engineers and specialist airline management staff."
"Air New Zealand expected to be able to put around 200-300 pilots and engineers each year through the curriculum that it would develop."
"Air New Zealand is currently in discussion with a range of potential partners and expects to announce more details about the academy over the coming year."


Could be interesting...

[slackie]

I think CTC's been sniffing around....I think they've been developing a CRM course for Eagle??

[zk-npr]

Gday Guys

This looks interesting, are you guys Pilots or a related occupation already?

Do you know if Air NZ have hinted at this to the public yet or strictly internal?

Cheers

[Konev]

they had/have plans to build it in invercargill.

would involve extending the apron with a new hangar but otherwise the place is set up for it. can simulate pretty much any NZ IFR approach here, also has low traffic density and a 2.2km runway.

[mattyj]

Invercargill, excellent..the IFR won't be simulated

[komac2]

Air NZ opeing airline school

16/05/2008 13:20:22

Air New Zealand is setting up a school for pilots, cabin crew, engineers and airline management.

The airline's chief pilot Captain David Morgan says the Aviation Academy is being set up to ensure a steady flow of local talent, in what is a highly competitive industry.

Air New Zealand expects to put around 200-300 pilots and engineers through the academy every year.

http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdeta...storyID=137457

[komac2]

I think CTC's been sniffing around....I think they've been developing a CRM course for Eagle??

Air NZ probably nicked their business model for this school.

[komac2]

a little more info: full press release.

Air New Zealand to establish Aviation Academy

Friday, 16 May 2008, 11:18 am
Press Release: Air New Zealand

16 May 2008
Media Release
Air New Zealand to establish Aviation Academy
Air New Zealand is to establish an aviation academy to develop and nurture home-grown pilots, cabin crew, engineers and specialist airline management staff.
Air New Zealand General Manager Airline Operations and Safety Captain David Morgan said planning was well underway for the Air New Zealand Aviation Academy.
Captain Morgan, who is also Air New Zealand’s Chief Pilot, said the academy was being set up to ensure the steady flow of local talent into Air New Zealand and other airlines within the Asia Pacific region.

In the highly competitive aviation industry, Captain Morgan said it was important to ensure that Air New Zealand had the best people available to support its future growth plans.
“The academy will form the basis of Air New Zealand’s long-term commitment to continuing to build a world-leading airline through a highly skilled and motivated workforce which sees real career prospects and a future in New Zealand.”
“We already operate a very successful training school offering engineering, tourism and travel programmes. This is an opportunity for us to build on that and create in New Zealand an internationally-recognised and accredited aviation academy that will meet the future needs of Air New Zealand and other airline operators in our region,” he says.
“It will also provide opportunities and career structure for our people, and help them define and manage their career paths within the aviation business.”
As well as providing training for those starting out, Captain Morgan said the academy would provide support and training for staff moving through their careers, including aircraft type rating and simulator training.
Air New Zealand’s goal was to establish the academy in partnership with industry, offering people the ability to train at different locations around the country.
This would also provide additional economic benefits to New Zealand regions, Captain Morgan said.
Air New Zealand expected to be able to put around 200-300 pilots and engineers each year through the curriculum that it would develop.
Captain Morgan said New Zealand-trained pilots, cabin crew and engineers were held in high regard internationally for their expertise, professionalism and attitude.
“We expect the Air New Zealand Aviation Academy to further build on and enhance the New Zealand aviation industry’s excellent international reputation.”
Air New Zealand is currently in discussion with a range of potential partners and expects to announce more details about the academy over the coming year.
ENDS


http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0805/S00326.htm

[Konev]

will teach the ardemore and massey lot how to land in any wind strogner than a sparrows fart as well

[Bongo Bus Driver]

Quote "In the highly competitive aviation industry, Captain Morgan said it was important to ensure that Air New Zealand had the best people available to support its future growth plans."

Didn't they fire most of their engineers and aren't they right now screwing their regional pilots so much that they would rather fly for the opposition or head to PNG.

F$#K ROB IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT NOT HAVING GOOD STAFF DON'T TREAT THEM LIKE SH*T AND THEY WONT LEAVE!!!!!

[Hanz Blix]

THis could be very scary

ALPA should be seeing if these new recruits will be contracted or able to join. Air NZ could very well be building a work force they control. Also where are these newbees going to enter the company?????

[horserun]

Well done B B Driver.... Couldnt' have said it better

[ZKSUJ]

Whats going to happen to guys not yet in Air NZ or Link but are working their way up towards it? If NZ train their own and hire their 'own', will the guys that have paid their way and are still working their way through the NZ industry be left out or hung out to dry bacuase suddenly they wont get the opportunities that may have came up?

I'm talking about pilots btw. If thats the case, alot of us inexperienced CPLs wont get a shot or a chance when it comes our time to be in contention in a couple of years....

[ZK-NSJ]

captain morgan, now theres a good name , prefer bacardi myself

[komac2]

Didn't they fire most of their engineers and aren't they right now screwing their regional pilots so much that they would rather fly for the opposition or head to PNG.

Air NZ engineers ramp up industrial action

Friday, 16 May 2008

Engineers will ramp up industrial action against their employer Air New Zealand after voting down a pay offer from the company.

The engineers, members of the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) and the Aviation and Marine Engineers Association, have already imposed an overtime ban.
Negotiations have been on-going since March, with about 1500 staff members beginning the low-level industrial action on May 9.
From today, engineers will refuse to tow aircraft in and out of hangars, and from next Friday they will refuse to do engine testing.
EPMU national secretary Andrew Little said if an agreement was not reached, the next step would be to refuse work on any aircraft with Air NZ's signature "koru" design on its tail.
The members, who make up the vast majority of Air NZ's engineer workforce, have been seeking a 5.8 per cent pay rise but voted not to accept an offer from the company that amounted to 3.92 per cent over a year.
In mediation between Air NZ and the unions this week both sides appeared to have reached an agreement, but the offer endorsed by the unions was voted down when put to the members.
Air NZ said tonight it was disappointed the unions were not able to gain the support of their members.
The company said current strike actions and the action commencing tomorrow was at this stage not expected to impact its scheduled services, due to the airline's contingency planning.
Air NZ hoped to meet the unions again next week.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4550155a11.html

Also where are these newbees going to enter the company?????

Via an Application Form - Sorry just trying to be funny. apologies

The academy would work in partnership with other training organisations around the country to produce up to 300 pilots and engineers a year.

The curriculum was yet to be finalised, but it appears likely that students would first learn to fly a light aircraft with a partner flying school.
Air New Zealand would then fast-track their training as airline pilots in its own simulators.
"These people come through thinking like airline pilots when they first step into the cockpit."
Whether students would have to pay for their training was yet to be decided, but Morgan said trainee pilots already qualified for student loans.
Air New Zealand was also considering introducing a new multi-crew pilot's licence (MPL), which allows pilots to fly as a co-pilot, but not fly on their own.

Full article:

Pilot shortage prompts Air NZ aviation academy

Saturday, 17 May 2008


Air New Zealand plans to build an aviation academy in the face of a global shortage of pilots and engineers.

Now, the airline mainly recruits pilots who have built up experience flying with small airlines and then trains them to fly its planes.
But Air New Zealand general manager of airline operations and chief pilot David Morgan said the huge demand for pilots worldwide meant Air New Zealand had to develop a steady flow of talent to support its growth plans.
The academy was expected to open later next year and would take students from high school or tertiary education and train them to fly from scratch. The airline would continue to recruit qualified pilots.
The academy would work in partnership with other training organisations around the country to produce up to 300 pilots and engineers a year.
Training would also be provided for other Asia Pacific airlines, including cabin crew and specialist managers.
Morgan said its existing training facilities at Auckland International Airport would be expanded, or moved to another campus, including classrooms and additional simulators.
Air New Zealand will introduce a new fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs from 2010, followed by a fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
That growth, together with an ageing pilot workforce, meant the airline would need between 90 and 150 new pilots a year as the fleet grew, Morgan said.
Air New Zealand employs more than 1200 pilots across the group, including 860 in its jet fleet. Globally, airlines need about 17,000 new pilots a year, much of that driven by massive growth in India and China.
"We have got to get young people interested in aviation as a career, whether it be as a pilot, or just as importantly, as engineers and flight attendants," Morgan said.
The curriculum was yet to be finalised, but it appears likely that students would first learn to fly a light aircraft with a partner flying school.
Air New Zealand would then fast-track their training as airline pilots in its own simulators.
"These people come through thinking like airline pilots when they first step into the cockpit."
Whether students would have to pay for their training was yet to be decided, but Morgan said trainee pilots already qualified for student loans.
Air New Zealand was also considering introducing a new multi-crew pilot's licence (MPL), which allows pilots to fly as a co-pilot, but not fly on their own.
The licence has been introduced in Australia and Europe and significantly shortens the traditional training process.
Civil Aviation Authority spokesman Bill Sommers said the MPL licence was on a programme for approval next year.
Air New Zealand sacked about 300 engineers two years ago in a restructuring of its engineering business to keep heavy maintenance in-house.
Morgan said since the engineering business was put back on a competitive footing, it had attracted considerable work from other airlines, and was in a growth phase.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/thepress/4551360a6430.html

[komac2]

Whats going to happen to guys not yet in Air NZ or Link but are working their way up towards it? If NZ train their own and hire their 'own', will the guys that have paid their way and are still working their way through the NZ industry be left out or hung out to dry bacuase suddenly they wont get the opportunities that may have came up?

I'm talking about pilots btw. If thats the case, alot of us inexperienced CPLs wont get a shot or a chance when it comes our time to be in contention in a couple of years....

Link as above:
The academy was expected to open later next year and would take students from high school or tertiary education and train them to fly from scratch. The airline would continue to recruit qualified pilots

[Split Flap]

“The academy will form the basis of Air New Zealand’s long-term commitment to continuing to build a world-leading airline through a highly skilled and motivated workforce which sees real career prospects and a future in New Zealand.”

Can't say I have spoken to many motivated pilots or engineers lately. In fact most of the engineers hate the place.
Most of of the Air Nelson pilot workforce is activly disengaged and can't wait to leave to work for an Air NZ competitor of some sort. If Air Nelson was a commited employer perhaps it would make a commitment to pay it's staff the time and a half from the holidays act ruling. But no.

In fact I see no commitment at all, let alone "Long-term commitment" from Air NZ about many sections of it's workforce. In fact it looks like the Air NZ jet pilot group will have to take industrial action in order to get a clause in their contract that prevents them being outsourced.
But it's all sorted! A shiny flying school will have thousands queing to fly a shiny jet for less than the going rate. Just what the company wants. Nice. All fun and games till some pimply faced daddys boy with no experience smokes an engine.

My old man used to say to me you can't put an old head on young shoulders. That is exactly what is trying to be done here.

[DeltaT]

The MPL is already in Europe and gives an Airline a quick pilot with only some 50hrs real flying time, and the rest in the Simulator.
As for competing against them for entry into an Airline, there is that, but due to their low experience and the qualification, their progression would be slow and limiting. Which also brings to mind the question of how the Air NZ (main) seniority list works based on when you join the company when you have MPLs added in?!!
I would dare say MPLs will be in the Links for a long time.

[Bongo Bus Driver]

Ultimately AirNZ will want these cadets to be Captains so I wonder how those on multi crew licences will get the minimum requirements for an ATPL? 250 PIC for example.

Straight from school to a flight school for a fast track CPL (150hrs I assume) then into sim training at AirNZ. They will not be able to log PIC in the sim as it will be a multi crew aircraft and don't you need an ATPL to act as PIC in a multi crew aircraft for hire and reward?

[komac2]

Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL)

What is the MPL?
The MPL allows a pilot to exercise the privileges of a co-pilot in a commercial air transportation on multi-crew aeroplanes. It provides the aviation community with an opportunity to train pilots directly for co-pilot duties. It is a new licence that has been introduced in addition to the existing pilot licences defined in Annex 1 — Personnel Licensing.
The licence focuses on ab initio airline pilot training. MPL training and assessment will be competency-based and involve a multi-crew environment and threat and error management from the onset. It provides for greater use of flight simulation training devices and include mandatory upset training. At this stage, only aeroplanes are considered for this new licence. The details of the requirements for the licence are contained in Annex 1 — Personnel Licensing and in the Procedures for Air Navigation Services — Training (PANS-TRG). These documents outline the minimum international Standard for the implementation of the MPL by any State; they can be purchased directly from ICAO through the Document Sales Unit.
Will the MPL be recognized by Contracting States?
As a licence defined by ICAO the MPL will be recognized by all ICAO Contracting States even by those that may decide not to establish an MPL as a licence within their own States. More details on the recognition of licences by other States can be found on the FAQ on "International recognition of flight crew licences".
What is a multi-crew aeroplane?
It is an aeroplane that requires a flight crew of at least two pilots. One of them is the pilot-in-command (the captain) and the other is the co-pilot (or first officer). All jet air transport aeroplanes and the vast majority of turbine powered air transport aircraft and business jet are multi-crew aeroplanes. The definition in Annex 1 — Personnel Licensing states that it is: "an aircraft required to be operated with a co-pilot as specified in the flight manual or by the air operator certificate."
Do I have to hold a MPL to be a co-pilot on a muti-crew aeroplane?
No, the co-pilot on a multi-crew aeroplane can hold either a MPL or a CPL endorsed with an instrument rating and a type rating on a multi-crew aircraft.
What are the differences between the CPL and the MPL?
For the purposes of operating multi-crew aircraft, the privileges of a MPL are equivalent to those of CPL endorsed with an instrument rating and a type rating on a multi-crew aircraft. However, and because the MPL is geared toward operation of multi-crew airplane, an MPL pilot cannot generally fly on single pilot aeroplane without meeting additional requirements. For example, MPL holders cannot exercise the privileges of a CPL and instrument ratings on single pilot aeroplane without meeting specific actual flight time and flight instruction requirements.
A number of MPL courses may be a modification of the current JAA frozen ATPL or the Transport Canada and FAA CPL/Multi-engine training, but it is expected that the majority will follow the guidance proposed in the Procedures for Air Navigation Services — Training (PANS-TRG) document.
What are the minimum flight hours required for the MPL?
The ICAO Standard for the MPL specifies 240 hours as the minimum number of actual and simulated flight hours performing the functions of the pilot flying and the pilot non-flying. However, the Standard does not specify the breakdown between actual and simulated flight hours and thus allow part of the training curriculum that was traditionally conducted on aeroplane to be done on flight simulation training devices (FSTDs). However, there is a requirement that the applicant meets all the actual flying time for a private pilot licence plus additional actual flying time in instrument, night flying and upset recovery.
Why was the MPL established?
The MPL was established to respond to the growing demand in the aviation training community that felt that the current regulatory regime that dictated a large number of flying hours in solo and on a smaller aircraft was not the most efficient and safe way to train pilots for copilot duties on jet transport aircraft.
Further, there was some perceived negative training in the apprenticeship model that was first developed for flight training in the post second world war era. A number of training organizations and airlines were adamant that modern training techniques and research into the use of modern training devices such as flight simulation training devices needed to be recognized within the ICAO licensing structure. The ICAO Air Navigation Commission formed a Flight Crew Licensing and Training Panel to explore the options and opportunities to address the shortcomings of some current licensing requirements. The competency-based concept and the MPL licence were the outcome of that panel's deliberations.
How can the MPL be implemented?
ICAO has developed the Procedures for Air Navigation Services — Training (PANS-TRG) document to support the implementation of the MPL and will monitor developments in this area through a proof of concept programme. This programme will involve stakeholders from regulatory bodies and industry. In addition, an Air Training Organization must meet the prescribed organizational standards which are also outlined in Annex 1 — Personnel Licensing and the Procedures for Air Navigation Services — Training (PANS-TRG).
What is the status of the MPL regulatory provisions?
The ICAO Council adopted the provisions related to the MPL as part of Amendment 167 to Annex 1 — Personnel Licensing on 10 March 2006. The new provisions will become applicable on 23 November 2006.

http://www.icao.int/icao/en/trivia/peltrgFAQ.htm#31

07 update:

MPL proof-of-concept initiative seeks high quality data
The initial results of multi-crew pilot licence (MPL) training programmes around the world will be carefully monitored by ICAO to assess whether there is a requirement to expand or improve on the current guidance material. Under the proof-of-concept project, protected information concerning the performance of trainees during and following the MPL training programme will be forwarded to ICAO by licensing authorities so that the organization can evaluate the existing MPL programme requirements and documentation on a periodic basis. The measure is intended to safeguard the long-term integrity of the multi-crew pilot licence.
The quality of the data supplied to ICAO, especially in the early years of the MPL programme's implementation, will prove crucial to the further development of guidance material. A letter issued by the organization in June 2007 provides States with specific guidelines for gathering these data in a harmonized manner. The dataset definition was achieved through a cooperative effort involving ICAO, State regulators, the airline industry and pilot representatives.
Standardized forms have been developed for collecting precise information in four specific areas. In addition to details about State regulations and the oversight of MPL licences, the forms request information on each MPL training programme offered by an approved training organization, the performance of each trainee, and the initial operational evaluation of each MPL holder. The identity of individual trainees will be protected by designating an identification number for tracking individual records for the purpose of analysis.
ICAO anticipates receiving information on State regulations and oversight of MPL licences by October 2007. The evaluation of other MPL data is expected to commence in late 2008.
An article about the MPL programme, contributed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), appears in ICAO Journal Issue 3/2007 ("MPL represents a state-of-the-art ab initio airline pilot training programme," pp 33-34), and is available at the ICAO website.

http://www.icao.int/icao/en/osg/epo/updates/index.html